Deputy General Counsel

Job Description

At Wawa, we are proud to be part of a beloved brand committed to putting people first, doing the right thing, and making every day a little brighter. We know that it is our Associates who truly put the "wow" in the Wawa experience. When you join the Wawa team, you join a tradition of success that spans decades, over a thousand stores, multiple states, and counting.

As Associate owners, our team members have a shared stake in our success. As we grow, our Associates will continue taking the lead in bringing joy to even more friends and neighbors: one hoagie, smile, or experience at a time.

The Deputy General Counsel is responsible for providing oversight, advice and direction on the legal affairs of the Company including contract review, ensuring that the Company is in compliance with local, state and federal laws, advising the Company on legal matters impacting the organization, serving as the Corporate Assistant Secretary and establishing and maintaining functional partnerships with outside legal counsel. This position is responsible for ensuring that the Company maintains good corporate governance. The Deputy General Counsel is responsible for the oversight and management of legal services related to legal issues and subject matters affecting the Company, reporting to the Executive Vice President - Chief Legal, Administrative and Risk Officer.

Principal Duties:

• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Legal Team, including the creation and management of the departmental budget. Organize and direct activities to protect the Company's interests on all legal matters. Maintain knowledge of the company's legal documents and operations.

• Provide management and support to the Company's Assistant General Counsel Employment and Litigation and the Company's Associate General Counsels.

• Define litigation strategy, including dispute resolution, and pursue legal remedies.

• Provide legal advice and service on complex issues concerning the rights, obligations, and privileges of the Company. Manage efforts of outside counsel in matters initiated or defended by the Company.

• Manage issues related to corporate governance.

• Provide overall direction and support for the Legal Team and monitor and assess individual work in accordance with high standards of excellence. Provide feedback, coaching, support, and opportunities for development, complete performance appraisals, take corrective action when appropriate, and participate in hiring decisions.

• Responsible for the oversight and management of legal services related to matters affecting the Company. Selects and retains outside legal counsel and manages the relationships and contracts with the firms selected.

• Manage contracts with a view of protecting the Company's strategic goals, standardization and efficiency.

• Review and negotiate contracts and other legal instruments of the Company, specifically its acquisition and disposition of real estate interests, the purchase of core products for resale, the conduct of financial activities, and the engagement of services and consultants.

• Provides legal advice and recommendations for action to senior management and other associates regarding matters which have or may have a sizable dollar impact on business activities and operations.

• Serve as Assistant Secretary in the management of Corporate Secretary functions such as preparation for and recording of Directors' and Shareholders' meetings and certain Committee meetings, and preparation of proxy materials.

• Partner with the Company's Shareholder Services offices as to:

• coordination of shareholder lists and registrations and response to shareholder requests for information; planning of shareholders' meetings, preparing agendas and record minutes; preparing announcements of Board meetings and providing various types of support to Board Chairperson and corporate officers; managing corporate legal functions such as preparation of proxy materials, administration of tender offers, administration of the transfer of Company shares and dividend payments, preparation of unanimous consents and resolutions and certification to third parties of the accuracy of corporate acts and records; and interacting with the Company's shareholders and overseeing all shareholder relations issues, including maintaining the Company's shareholder portal.

• Prepare corporate documents such as unanimous consents, resolutions, tender offer materials, and confidentiality agreements.

• Provide legal advice to associates in the performance of the duties of their employment.

• Coordinate with various internal departments and committees to ensure operational and procedural compliance with state and federal regulations. Oversee data collection, analysis and presentation for compliance-related reports required. Triage complex regulatory issues that are escalated by staff.

• Track, analyze and communicate as necessary all new regulatory requirements which may have an impact on the Company.

• Serve as a Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of various company subsidiaries.

• Serve as a member of the Retirement Plans Committee.

• Supports the Chief Administrative, Legal and Risk Officer in the creation of the agenda and materials for the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.

Attributes:

• A "Values Based Leadership" approach combining personal humility, transparency, trustworthiness, a true regard for others, and a fierce resolve to do the right thing, even when it's difficult.

• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and history of developing people and building talent. Ability to align, inspire, motivate, and lead diverse teams to deliver remarkable results. Ability to provide strategic direction, coaching and mentoring to drive performance.

• Excellent people skills and the ability to communicate and interact effectively at all levels of the organization and with clients, both orally and in writing, while exercising sound judgment, self-confidence, and respect

• Align and collaborate across organizational boundaries

• Articulate strategy and initiatives into action plans

• Analyze information and effectively propose solutions

• Negotiate effectively

• Handle multiple priorities simultaneously

• Work independently as well as in a team environment

• Ability to provide leadership to attorneys and staff and to establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork

• Ability to quickly establish credibility as an advisor, change agent and business partner with internal clients

• Capability to find creative solutions to complex legal issues, moving easily between a hands-on, operations-focused view and a larger strategic outlook

• Ability to identify and articulate practical legal solutions in a useful and easily understood manner while partnering with the client to ensure successful implementation

• Ability to develop and management relationships with members of the Company's senior team and the Board of Directors

• Possesses strong intellectual and analytical capability and thorough and insightful problem-solving ability. Cultivates an open-minded, fact-based decision-making environment

• Demonstrated ability to earn the trust and respect of colleagues, direct reports and associates in the field

• Proven track record of strong negotiation, communication, organizational, and people management skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a commitment to outstanding work product

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor required

• Member of the Pennsylvania or New Jersey Bar

• Minimum of fifteen years of relevant experience in the legal field and a minimum of four years major law firm experience and seven years of corporate counsel experience, including managing a team of lawyers and professionals

• Prior experience in general corporate and securities law; transactional practice preferred, along with ERISA experience

• Prior experience as an associate general counsel or deputy general counsel for an ESOP owned, family-owned or retail company preferred

• Prior experience in managing outside counsel

• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office suite applications

Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at asc@wawa.com or 1-800-444-9292.

Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.